The term Islam is derived from the root Silm which signifies
peace - peace with Allah as well as with all the creatures.
Technically speaking, Islam means "full submission to the Will
of Almighty God in all walks of Life". Every Muslim must
confess and affirm the fact that there is none worthy of
worship and obedience except Allah, and that Muhammad (peace be
upon him) is his slave and Messenger.
Along with the confession
of this basic kalimah, a Muslim has to declare his faith in the
angles, in all the prophets, in the revealed scriptures, in the
day of judgement, and in taqdir (predestination). In the
following pages, some details have been provided for the common
readers, Muslims as well as non-Muslims, about the basic
principles of Islamic faith.
Belief in Allah is the core of all Islamic teachings. It
means that Allah is and He is the most exalted one having no
partner at all. He alone and none else is worthy of worship and
devotion. He is eternal. He is not subordinate to or dependent
on any one else. He has neither given birth to anyone nor has
been born of someone. He has no consort nor anyone is equal to
Him. He is unique and there is nothing like Him. He is all
powerful having command over everything. He has full knowledge
of all things and nothing is hidden from His knowledge.
He is the sole Creator of the whole universal system and
takes care of each and every entity in the universe. He is the
only Lord, Giver of life, Nourisher and Sustainer of all the
things. He neither sleeps nor dozes and is never tired of
controlling the affairs of the world. All of His qualities are
eternal and none of them shall never diminish. Whatever good or
bad happens in this world has ever been in His knowledge long
before its happening and He lets it happen according to His
knowledge. This is called taqdir (destiny or predestination)
and there are mysteries in the creation of evils which every
one cannot comprehend.